Apocalyptica recently announced a follow-up to their legendary debut record. Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2 will continue the journey that began in 1996 when cellists from Helsinki’s world-renowned Sibelius Academy played symphonic tribute to the biggest of the big four - heavy metal titans Metallica. For their ninth record the classically-minded dynamos are returning to their roots to bring a legendary story full circle. It also features a host of surprises beginning with a unique collaboration.

Lead single "The Four Horsemen", taken from Metallica’s 1983 debut Kill ‘Em All, features Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, setting the scene for a compendium of deep cuts and brilliant highlights spanning Metallica’s staggering 40 year career, and there are more surprises to come.

Guesting on the DJ Force X podcast, lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso discussed the album and revealed how Trujillo became involved in the project.

"We have always had a wonderful relation with Metallica. They have been enormously supportive towards us always, but still we approached them to ask that would they agree, would it be fine for them if we make such an album. And through those conversations, actually, eventually Rob even offered that he could play something for us. And that's an enormous, amazing feature, of course, to be treated like that. And it really, really shows respect also from their side. And we are very, very thankful for it."

Founding band-leader Eicca Toppinen comments on the new album: “It’s the coolest thing. We didn’t push - it was offered. We played the first album live and it was so much more fun and exciting than we expected, so we got the idea to do something like the first album, but we couldn’t do it in exactly the same way – we needed to challenge ourselves and bring a totally new perspective to the original energy and emotion of Metallica.”

Lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso adds: “We’ve been talking about making another Metallica album for around 20 years, as there were still so many great songs we wanted to play! We waited for the perfect moment to do it. Thinking of that teenage me who is now getting to play his favorite tracks gives me goosebumps!"

Watch "The Four Horsemen" video below.

This album will be the band’s final studio release with Apocalyptica’s long-time member, drummer Mikko Sirén, who amicably departed after the new album’s completion. Plays Metallica Vol. 2 was produced by longtime collaborator and studio supremo Joe Barresi (Queens Of The Stone Age, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, Tool) and will be released via new label Throwdown Entertainment on June 7.

Tracklisting:

"Ride The Lightning"
"St. Anger"
"The Unforgiven II"
"Blackened"
"The Call Of Ktulu" (in memory of Cliff Burton)
"The Four Horsemen" (ft. Robert Trujillo)
"Holier Than Thou"
"To Live Is To Die"
"One"
"One" (Instrumental)

"The Four Horsemen" video:

Apocalyptica will tour Europe in fall 2024.  Public on-sale for tickets starts today, Friday, February 23.  They will offer upgrades to regular tickets for VIP experiences via the band’s website.

Tour dates:

June
8 - Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall

September
13 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - TBA
19 - Istanbul, Turkey - Zorlu PSM
21 - Stockholm, Sweden - Kagelbanan
22 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
23 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
24 - Aarhus, Denmark - Train
26 - Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit 36
27 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13
29 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Albert Hall
30 - London, UK - Royal Albert Hall

October
1 - Dublin, Ireland - 3Olympia Theatre
3 - Glasgow, UK - SWG3
4 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
5 - Cardiff, UK - Great Uni Hall
7 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
8 - Munich, Germany - Tonhalle
9 - Cologne, Germany - E-Werk
10 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
11 - Prague, Czech Republic - 02 Universe
12 - Dresden, Germany - Alter Schlachthof
13 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
15 - Krakow, Poland - Studio
16 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
18 - Palanga, Lithuania - Concert Hall
19 - Kaunus, Lithuania - Zalgiris Arena
20 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Compensa Hall
21 - Riga, Latvia - Arena
22 - Tallinn, Estonia - Alexella Hall

November
11 - Esch Alzette, Luxembourg - Rockhal
12 - Brussels, Belgium - AB
13 - Paris, France - L’Olympia
14 - Bordeaux, France - Le Rocher
15 - Bilbao, Spain - Santana 27
17 - Lisbon, Portugal - LAV
18 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
19 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
20 - Marseille, France - Espace Julien
21 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
22 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Metropole
23 - Zurich, Switzerland - Komplex
25 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
26 - Cluj, Romania - Form Space
27 - Bucharest, Romania - Sala Palatului
28 - Sofia, Bulguari - NDK (National Palace of Culture)
29 - Skopje, Macedonia - Jane Sandanski Sports Center
30 - Belgrade, Serbia - Hangar

(Photo - Riki Murto)